How do you survive winter? (spring break, home, live)

[Chicago60614]

When are you moving? If you're not moving until March or later, you SHOULD pretty much escape the winter, or just get hit with the end of it.

March gets very cold, and it does snow, but it's nothing like January and February. The average highs in Iowa on March 15th are around 50 degrees.

So even though this winter has been the worst in YEARS, it DOES have to come to an end. When it happens, it usually happens fairly quick. In the two months from February 15th to April 15th, the average high temp shoots up by almost 30 degrees (mid 30's to mid 60's).

Be glad you're moving in March and not this past November....

[zz4guy]

I've lived here all my life (28 years) and while this is definitely worse than the last two years I wouldn't say it is THE worst. It has defintely been colder and there have been more snow storms in years past. I remember getting stuck in Cedar Rapids driving down the street in some storms in the mid 90s. A couple of times it did get down to -30 here as well.

Not saying that is the norm either, but this winter is closer to normal than the last two winters.

If you don't like the cold and snow I would say don't move here. Your life will suck from November to March.

[Iowagirl566]

This winter was fairly mild in November and December but in January and February it has snowed about every weekend, around 4 inches each time. When buying boots I would make sure they have Thinsulate in them. I work outside and actually have 3 differnet pairs of boots, 1 pair just leather(no insulation), 1 pair with 400 Thinsulate(good to about 20 degrees) and a pair with a wool lining(under 20 degrees). I frostbite my toes about 25 years ago waiting for a bus so I really get cold feet fast.

As for your dog, unless it's a breed that's a cold weather breed, I wouldn't leave them out any longer than it takes to do their business. You might also want to invest in doggie boots for them(from Petsmart or Petco). Not only is the cold a problem but the Icemelts is really harsh on their paws. They do make a special Icemelt for Pet owners.

For your car all of the above suggestions are good but I would add a couple of 10 lb bags of catlitter to your truck. If you go in the ditch it will provide traction(plus the added weight is good). Practice defensive driving. Allow at least 4 seconds between you and the car in front of you. If you start to slide, shift into Neutral and gently apply the brakes. The first few snow storms of the season it seems like everyone forgot how to drive on the snow but you'll catch on.

[LPerkins33]

shifting into neutral can cause more problems then it solves, many people will miss neutral and hit reverse which can damage your transmission or kill the engine which then kills power steering, power brakes and with that anti-lock braking systems. You're better off paying full attention to what your car is doing in the slide.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Iowagirl566

If you start to slide, shift into Neutral and gently apply the brakes. The first few snow storms of the season it seems like everyone forgot how to drive on the snow but you'll catch on.

No, dont shift into neutral, bad idea. First off, application of gas is sometimes needed to spin the wheels and prevent a spin. When youre in neutral you cannot do that. Plus, taking the time to shift into neutral is better used to correct the steering.

[KoryO]

Thanks for the info on the boots and the cat litter, Iowagirl566!

[wingit]

Your AWD will be a definate plus, but don't let it make you overconfident. No matter how good it is at getting going, you still have to plan ahead for stopping without sliding into something, or off the road. Seems many SUV owners think they are invincible because they can drive thru pretty deep snow, but you can't stop any faster than anything else out there. Another tip: do not use your cruise control when the roads are snow, or ice covered.

Be thankful you aren't here already. I went to Iowa City last night from Muscatine, 31 cars total in the ditch, 28 of them were from the West Liberty interchange to Iowa City on I-80, probably a 15 mile or so stretch of interstate with that many cars in the ditch. Seems nobody wants to SLOW DOWN. Most of those cars have probably been there since Saturday evening, or Sunday, as that is when the storm went thru.

If you can deal with cold temps, and don't mind snow, Iowa is a pretty decent place to live. I work with a guy who moved here from California 7 yrs. ago. He moved here because his wife was originally from here, now she wants to move back to Cali, he wants to stay, loves it here.

[jamh13]

The best way to deal w/ winter is to purchase a snow mobile. Then You will actually look forward to the snow. If a snow mobile is out of the question consider ice skating, skiing or just sledding. I think anything that gets you outside to enjoy the season will take care of the "mental toll of winter". Many people dont make the effort and thats when winter blues kick in.

[metro223]

Originally Posted by jamh13

The best way to deal w/ winter is to purchase a snow mobile. Then You will actually look forward to the snow. If a snow mobile is out of the question consider ice skating, skiing or just sledding. I think anything that gets you outside to enjoy the season will take care of the "mental toll of winter". Many people dont make the effort and thats when winter blues kick in.

good point, I think if someone gets a winter hobby they will look forward to it more!

[jasperhobbs]

This year is a great year to have a snowmobile but last few years people barely got a chance to use them.

Jasper